- The Pixel Watch 3 features a UWB chip that enables a couple of handy features, like faster Watch Unlock with a compatible Pixel device.
- Strings spotted in the latest Google Play Services beta state that this feature won’t work if your phone is in Airplane mode.
- The watch will revert to using Bluetooth for the Watch Unlock feature, which won’t be as fast or accurate.
The Pixel Watch 3 is the first Wear OS smartwatch to pack an ultra-wideband (UWB) chip, which unlocks a couple of handy features. The chip enables precise location tracking with Android’s Find My Device network and lets you unlock and start your car using the watch as a digital car key. The UWB chip also improves the Watch Unlock feature with compatible Pixel devices. However, these features won’t work if your phone is in Airplane mode.
New strings of code spotted in a teardown of the latest Google Play Services beta (version 24.35.30) highlight that Watch Unlock on the Pixel Watch 3 will revert to Bluetooth if you enable Airplane mode on your connected phone. Although you will still be able to unlock your phone with the watch, it won’t be as fast or as accurate. The strings add that the watch will automatically switch to UWB as soon as you disable Airplane mode and you’re in a country that supports ultra-wideband.